Electronically-accessible product description

ABSTRACT

A method of describing products in an electronically-accessible format includes receiving a product geometry description to describe the geometry of a portion of a product, receiving a product attribute description to describe a non-geometric attribute of the portion of the product, and storing the product geometry description and the product attribute description in an electronically-accessible format.

BACKGROUND

[0001] This disclosure relates to describing products in anelectronically-accessible format.

[0002] Computers and other electronic systems have been used to describeproducts in a variety of applications. For example, CAD, CAM, and CAEsoftware systems allow users to create and edit geometric designs ofproducts. The geometric information may also be stored and transmittedelectronically to speed and improve design and manufacturing processes.

SUMMARY

[0003] Geometric designs provide an incomplete description of manyproducts. In particular, geometric designs lack non-geometricinformation, hereinafter referred to as attribute information, examplesof which include product finish, product assembly information, productweld information, product tolerances, product constituent material,product constituent material processing, product texture, and productcolor. By including non-geometric information in anelectronically-accessible product description, the design andmanufacture of products can be sped and improved.

[0004] For example, if one surface of a product part requires aparticular finish, then information describing the finish may beincluded in the electronically-accessible product description. Theproduct description may then be provided to manufacturing software thatelectronically accesses the finish description and selects toolingcapable of developing the finish on the product.

[0005] Tools for describing a product may be produced to support thecreation, editing, navigation, and/or visualization of anelectronically-accessible, non-geometric, product description. A user isable to define product attributes that capture non-geometric productinformation and associate this non-geometric information with geometricinformation in an electronically-accessible model. Benefits of this mayinclude the ability to electronically access an engineering knowledgebase that already exists in external and internal databases during thedesign and manufacturing process, the ability to embed non-geometricproduct information within a geometric model, the ability to displaynon-geometric information and make it accessible to other applications,including third party applications, the ability to extend products bycustom modeling features that are controlled by rules, and the abilityto integrate engineering knowledge across different applications foranalysis and design purposes. Other applications that may electronicallyaccess the non-geometric product information include CAM packages andtolerance analysis applications.

[0006] In one general aspect, describing a product in anelectronically-accessible format includes receiving a product geometrydescription to describe the geometry of a portion of a product,receiving a product attribute description to describe a non-geometricattribute of the portion of the product, and storing the productgeometry description and the product attribute description in anelectronically-accessible format. The product attribute description maybe determined based on a design rule.

[0007] In another general aspect, describing a product in anelectronically-accessible format includes receiving a product geometrydescription to describe the geometry of a portion of a product,receiving a product attribute description to describe a non-geometricattribute of the portion of the product, receiving a product attributedisplay instance to describe how the product attribute description is tobe displayed, storing the product geometry description, the productattribute description, and the product attribute display instance in anelectronically-accessible format, and displaying the product attributedescription adjacent a product geometry display in accordance with theproduct attribute display instance.

[0008] In another general aspect, describing a product in anelectronically-accessible format includes receiving a product geometrydescription to describe the geometry of a portion of a product,receiving a definition of a non-geometric attribute of the portion ofthe product from a user, receiving a product attribute description todescribe the non-geometric attribute, and storing the product geometrydescription and the product attribute description in anelectronically-accessible format.

[0009] In another general aspect, describing a product in anelectronically-accessible format includes receiving a product geometrydescription to describe the geometry of a portion of a product,receiving a product attribute description to describe a predefinednon-geometric attribute of the portion of the product, and storing theproduct geometry description and the product attribute description in anelectronically-accessible format.

[0010] Implementations of these and other aspects may include one ormore of the following features. For example, the product attributedescription may be received from another computer system. The productattribute description may be a numerical value of the non-geometricattribute described by the product attribute description. The designrule may bound a range of potential numerical values of the productattribute description, and may provide a list of potential productattribute descriptions.

[0011] Receiving the product attribute description may include receivinga copy of a previous product attribute description. The previous productattribute description may describe a non-geometric attribute of aprevious version of the portion of the product. The product attributedescription also may be determined based on one of the product geometrydescription and another product attribute description.

[0012] The product attribute description may be determined based on thedesign rule. The product attribute description may describe a finish, anassembly, a weld, a tolerance, a constituent material, a texture, or acolor of the portion of the product.

[0013] The product attribute description may be accessed electronicallyand used to select a condition or process for manufacturing the portionof the product, or to select a tool for manufacturing the portion of theproduct. The portion of the product may be a surface of the product orthe product itself. A second product attribute description thatdescribes a second non-geometric attribute of the portion of the productalso may be received. The second product attribute description may bestored in the electronically-accessible format. A second productgeometry description that describes the geometry of a second portion ofthe product also may be received and stored in theelectronically-accessible format.

[0014] A navigable chart including the product attribute description andthe second product attribute description may be displayed and aselection signal identifying at least one of the product attributedescriptions may be received. An edit to at least one of the productattribute descriptions may be received and incorporated into therespective stored description.

[0015] A status of the portion of the product may be displayed. Thedisplayed status may include an indicator that the portion of theproduct is complete or inactive. A reason as to why the portion of theproduct is inactive may also be displayed, as may be a name of anotherportion having the product geometry description.

[0016] A potential attribute of the portion of the product to bedescribed by the product attribute description may be displayed. Adefinition of the non-geometric attribute may be received from a user.The product may be manufactured based on the electronically-accessedproduct geometry description and the product attribute description.

[0017] The product geometry display may be changed while the display ofthe product attribute description is maintained. A second productattribute description may be displayed adjacent the product geometrydisplay.

[0018] One of the product attribute descriptions may be removed fromadjacent the product geometry display. A lead line may be displayedbetween the product attribute description and the portion of theproduct. Basing the display of the product attribute description on theproduct attribute display instance may include displaying a symbol. Thestatus of the portion of the product may also be displayed.

[0019] The definition of the non-geometric attribute may include a dataclass of the product attribute description of the non-geometricattribute. The definition of the non-geometric attribute may alsoinclude a design rule that determines the product attribute descriptionof the non-geometric attribute. The product attribute description may bein a predetermined data class.

[0020] The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and description. Other features and advantageswill be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a programmable system for describingand accessing an electronically-accessible product description.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a process flow for describing andaccessing a product in an electronically-accessible format.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a process flow for describing a product.

[0024]FIG. 4 is a data structure of a product definition describing aproduct, including the attributes described during the process flow ofFIG. 3.

[0025]FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a process flow for creating productdefinitions.

[0026]FIG. 6 is a screen capture of a product definition editor beforethe creation of product definitions.

[0027]FIG. 7 is a screen capture of a navigation tree of existingproduct definitions.

[0028]FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a process flow for displaying andediting a representation of a product.

[0029]FIG. 9 is a representation of a product.

[0030]FIG. 10 is another representation of the product of FIG. 9.

[0031] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate likeelements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, a programmable system 100 for describing andaccessing an electronically-accessible product description includes avariety of input/output (I/O) devices (e.g., mouse 103, keyboard 105,and display 107) and a computer 110 having a central processor unit(CPU) 120, an I/O unit 130, a memory 140, and a data storage device 150.Data storage device 150 may store machine-executable instructions, data,and various programs such as an operating system 152 and one or moredescription programs 154 for describing and accessing anelectronically-accessible product description, all of which may beprocessed by CPU 120. Each computer program may be implemented in ahigh-level procedural or object-oriented programming language, or inassembly or machine language if desired; and in any case, the languagemay be a compiled or interpreted language. Data storage device 150 maybe any form of non-volatile memory, including by way of examplesemiconductor memory devices, such as Erasable Programmable Read-OnlyMemory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory(EEPROM), and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal harddisks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and Compact DiscRead-Only Memory (CD-ROM).

[0033] System 100 also may include a communications card or device 160(e.g., a modem and/or a network adapter) for exchanging data with anetwork 170 using a communications link 175 (e.g., a telephone line, awireless network link, a wired network link, or a cable network). Otherexamples of system 100 may include a handheld device, a workstation, aserver, a device, a component, other equipment, or some combination ofthese capable of responding to and executing instructions in a definedmanner. Any of the foregoing may be supplemented by, or incorporated in,ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits).

[0034]FIG. 2 illustrates a process flow 200 for describing and accessinga product description in an electronically-accessible format. Thegeometric characteristics of the product are described in anelectronically-accessible format (step 210), as are the non-geometricproduct attributes (step 220). The electronically-accessible format maybe, for example, a data record or other computer readable arrangement.The geometric characteristics and the product attributes then arerelayed to a receiver by, for example, transmitting, copying, orotherwise broadcasting the product description (step 230). The productdescription is then accessed electronically and used by the receiver(step 240). Including non-geometric product attributes in theelectronically-accessible product description permits the receiver toelectronically access additional information about the product. Thisadditional information may be used, for example, to rapidly andaccurately select conditions, processes, and/or tools for manufacturingthe described product.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, a process flow 210, 220 for describing thegeometry and attributes of a product or a portion of a product beginswith the creation of a new product definition (step 310). A productdefinition is an electronically-accessible representation of the name,geometry, attributes, and other characteristics of a product or aportion of a product. Several product definitions may be created on asingle system, and a user may navigate through the product definitions(step 320) by, for example, selecting a particular product definitionfrom a list of product definitions. The user also may edit the productdefinition (step 330) as needed. The system also creates a graphicaldisplay of a product described by a product definition (step 340), andpermits the user to edit the display of the product as needed (step350).

[0036] Referring to FIG. 4, a product definition database 400 includes aproduct name record 405, a status record 410, one or more productgeometry records 415, and one or more product attribute records 420,425, 430, 435. Product name record 405 containselectronically-accessible information encoding a product name. Statusrecord 410 contains electronically-accessible information encoding thestatus of a product. Status information may include, for example,whether product definition 400 is complete, whether product definition400 is retained or inactive, one or more reasons why product definition400 is retained or inactive, and the name or status of one or more otherproduct definitions with the same geometry as the product definition400.

[0037] Product geometry record 415 contains electronically-accessibleinformation encoding a geometric description of the product. Geometryrecord 415 may be accessible electronically using, for example, thePARASOLID Version 13.0 geometric modeler available from UnigraphicsSolutions Inc. of Cypress, Calif. Product attribute records 420, 425,430, 435 contain electronically-accessible information encoding datathat provides non-geometric attribute information about the productdescribed by product definition database 400. Product attribute records420, 425, 430, 435 may contain, for example, electronically-accessibleinformation encoding the product finish, product assembly information,product weld information, product tolerances, product constituentmaterial, product constituent material processing, product texture, orproduct color.

[0038] Product attribute record 420 includes three attribute values 440,445, 450. Attribute values 440, 445, 450 may be single values ofdifferent data types that describe the product attribute. For example,if product attribute record 420 encodes the constituent material of theproduct, attribute value 440 may encode for stainless steel, attributevalue 445 may encode for the processing of the steel (for example,whether the processing includes a heat treatment or annealing), andattribute value 450 may encode for the iron content of the steel. Eachattribute value 440, 445, 450 may also include data encoding displaycharacteristics of the attribute value (for example, display instances455, 460, 465) and data encoding design rules or links to design rules(for example, design rules 470, 475, 480).

[0039] The display characteristics encoded in display instances 455,460, 465 may include, for example, the size, color, positioning,symbology, font, and the desirability of a representation of theinformation encoded by product attribute records 420, 425, 430, 435 onan engineering drawing or other display. For example, display instance455 may indicate that no representation of Attribute Value 1A isdesired, whereas display instance 460 may indicate that Attribute Value1B is to be displayed on the lower left side of an engineering drawingin small, boldface type with a lead line to a selected portion of theproduct in the engineering drawing.

[0040] The design rules or links to design rules encoded in design rules470, 475, 480 may be used to determine the respective attribute value orto bound the range of the respective attribute value. Design rules 470,475, 480 may also be used to incorporate a technical knowledge base intothe product description process. For example, Design Rule 1A 470 mayencode a list of potential constituent materials for the product, whileDesign Rule 1B.1 475 may encode a list of potential coverings orfinishes for each of the constituent materials encoded in Design Rule 1A470. By selecting the potential coverings or finishes available topopulate Design Rule 1B.1 475 based on the constituent materials encodedin Design Rule 1A 470, technical and manufacturing expertise may beincluded in the product attribute description process. For example, amanufacturer may know that certain types of chrome plating do not adherewell to certain material substrates. By encoding this expertise directlyinto the product attribute description process, product designers areable to electronically access a broad knowledge base during productdesign.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 5, the creation of a product definition maybegin with copying of an existing product definition (step 510). Thisallows new versions of a product to be rapidly created, and commonproduct attributes to be maintained across versions. The description ofa new product in a product definition also may begin by creating a new,empty product definition. In either case, new product definitioninformation may be added to the new or copied product definition (step520). A new or existing product definition may also be populated usingdesign rules (step 530).

[0042] Referring to FIG. 6, an exemplary product definition editor 600includes a product definition navigation display 605, a productdefinition status display 610, a potential product attribute display615, an applied product attribute display 620, and input structures 625,630 to allow a user to edit product definitions.

[0043] Product definition navigation display 605 displays a navigationtree of existing product definitions. Product definition status display610 displays the current status of a product definition selected inproduct definition navigation display 605. Status information mayinclude information encoded in status record 410 including, for example,whether the product definition is complete, whether the productdefinition is retained or inactive, one or more reasons why the productdefinition is retained or inactive, and the names or status of otherproduct definitions with the same geometry.

[0044] Potential product attribute display 615 includes a list ofpotential attributes 635, 640, 645, 650 to be added to a productdefinition to describe a product. Potential attribute 635 is auser-defined attribute titled “my_attribute” and may relate, forexample, to highly specialized or a proprietary attribute of a product.The user may also define a range of potential attribute values or designrules for “my_attribute.” Potential attribute 640 is a standardattribute with an integer attribute value and titled“ug_integer_product_attrib.” Potential attribute 645 is a standardattribute with an numerical attribute value and titled“ug_number_product attrib.” Potential attribute 650 is a standardattribute with a string attribute value and titled“ug_string_product_attrib.” Potential attributes 635, 640, 645 mayrelate to common product attributes and may be predefined to define anyof a number of different non-geometric characteristics of a product orproduct portion. User-defined attributes offer the flexibility needed todescribe unusual products and product characteristics, while predefinedattributes may be used to describe a product without delay.

[0045] Applied product attribute display 620 displays one or moreproduct attributes in a product definition selected in productdefinition navigation display 605. Applied product attribute display 620also displays an associated portion of the product geometry andattribute value information.

[0046] Input structure 625 includes product definition command inputs655, 660, 665, 670, 675, and 680. Command input 655 initiates a commandthat results in creation of a new product definition. Command input 660initiates a command that copies a selected product definition to createa new product definition in product definition navigation display 605.Command input 665 initiates a command that deletes a selected productdefinition in product definition navigation display 605. Command input670 initiates a command that toggles the navigator tree in productdefinition navigation display 605 in and out of a hidden state. Commandinput 675 initiates a command that creates an indication in a displayinstance, for example, display instance 455 of FIG. 4, to indicate thata representation of the product should include a lead line between aselected product attribute and a portion of the product. Finally,command input 680 initiates a command that creates an indication in adisplay instance, for example, display instance 455 of FIG. 4, toindicate that a representation of the product should not include a leadline. Command inputs 675, 680 may also call up further input mechanismsthat allow a user to define other characteristics for the displayinstances. For example, command inputs 675, 680 may be used to create orselect symbols to be included in the selected product attribute.

[0047] Input structure 630 also includes product attribute commandinputs 685 and 690. Command input 685 initiates a command that deletes aselected product attribute in applied product attribute display 620.Command input 690 receives a command that allows a user to edit aselected product attribute in applied product attribute display 620.

[0048] Finally, input structure 630 includes editor command inputs 595,597, and 599. Command input 695 initiates a command that closes productdefinition editor 600 and saves any edits. Command input 697 initiates acommand that applies a selected potential product attribute frompotential product attribute display 615 to a product definition selectedin product definition navigation display 605. The application of apotential product attribute has the effect of moving the potentialproduct attribute from potential product attribute display 615 toapplied product attribute display 620. Finally, command input 699receives a command that closes product definition editor 600 withoutsaving any edits.

[0049] Referring also to FIG. 7, an exemplary navigation tree 702 ofexisting product definitions, suitable for display in product definitionnavigation display 605, includes a tree header 705 and three productdefinitions 710, 715, 720. Product definition 710 includes a emptydisplay instance indicator 725 and a product attribute 730. Emptydisplay instance indicator 725 indicates that product definition 710lacks a display instance. Product attribute 730 is an integer productattribute and includes an integer attribute value 735.

[0050] Product definition 715 includes a display instance indicator 740and a product attribute 745. Display instance indicator 740 indicatesthat product definition 715 includes a display instance, for example,display instance 455. Product attribute 745 is a user-defined productattribute and includes three different attribute values, namely integerattribute value 750, number attribute value 755, and string integervalue 760.

[0051] Product definition 720 includes a display instance indicator 765and a numerical product attribute 770. Display instance indicator 765indicates that product definition 720 includes a display instance, forexample, display instance 460. Product attribute 770 is a numericalproduct attribute and includes a number attribute value 775.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 8, a process flow 340, 350 for displaying andediting a representation of a product commences with the display ofexisting product definitions (step 810) and the reception of a selectionsignal that identifies one of the product definitions for representation(step 820). For example, the existing product definitions may bedisplayed in a list and the selected product definition may behighlighted by a user for display. A graphics module then represents theproduct attributes (step 830) and product geometry (step 840) for outputto, for example, a monitor. If a user decides to change the productgeometry (step 845), then the geometry changes are received (step 850)and applied to the product definition (step 855). The updated productgeometry is then represented for output (step 840). It may not benecessary to again represent the product attributes (step 830), sincethese remain unchanged.

[0053] On the other hand, if a user decides to change the productattributes (step 860), then the attribute changes are received (step865) and applied to the product definition (step 870). The updatedproduct attributes are then represented for output (step 830), andprocess flow 340, 350 repeats until neither geometry changes norattribute changes are desired by a user.

[0054] Product attribute changes can include changes to the attributevalues as well as the display instances of a product attribute. Forexample, referring to FIG. 9, a product representation 900 includes aproduct geometry representation 905 and product attributerepresentations 910, 915, 920. Product attribute representation 910includes a product description name 925, a product finish type and color930, a product processing attribute 935, and a product toleranceattribute 940. Referring to FIG. 10, after editing, product attributerepresentations 915, 920 are no longer displayed in productrepresentation 900, and product attribute representation 910 onlyincludes a product finish type and color 930 and product processingattribute 935. The display instances of attribute representations 915,920 have been changed so that they are no longer displayed, as have thedisplay instances of product description name 925 and product toleranceattribute 940. The corresponding attribute values may or may not havebeen changed.

[0055] A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, itwill be understood that various modifications may be made. Accordingly,other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of describing products in anelectronically-accessible format, the method comprising: receiving aproduct geometry description to describe the geometry of a portion of aproduct; receiving a product attribute description to describe anon-geometric attribute of the portion of the product, the productattribute description being determined based on a design rule; andstoring the product geometry description and the product attributedescription in an electronically-accessible format.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the product attribute description comprises a numericalvalue of the non-geometric attribute described by the product attributedescription.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the design rule bounds arange of potential numerical values of the product attributedescription.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the design rule provides alist of potential product attribute descriptions.
 5. The method of claim1 wherein receiving the product attribute description comprisesreceiving a copy of a previous product attribute description.
 6. Themethod of claim 5 wherein the previous product attribute descriptiondescribes a non-geometric attribute of a previous version of the portionof the product.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the product attributedescription is determined based on the design rule and one of theproduct geometry description and another product attribute description.8. The method of claim 1 further comprising electronically accessing theproduct attribute description.
 9. The method of claim 8 furthercomprising using the electronically-accessed product attributedescription to select a condition for manufacturing the portion of theproduct.
 10. The method of claim 8 further comprising using theelectronically-accessed product attribute description to select aprocess for manufacturing the portion of the product.
 11. The method ofclaim 8 further comprising using the electronically-accessed productattribute description to select a tool for manufacturing the portion ofthe product.
 12. The method of claim 1 further comprising: receiving asecond product attribute description to describe a second non-geometricattribute of the portion of the product; and storing the second productattribute description in the electronically-accessible format.
 13. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: receiving a second productgeometry description to describe the geometry of a second portion of theproduct; receiving a second product attribute description to describe asecond non-geometric attribute of the second portion of the product; andstoring the second product geometry description and the second productattribute description in the electronically-accessible format.
 14. Themethod of claim 13 further comprising: receiving an edit to at least oneof the product attribute description and the second product attributedescription; and incorporating the edit into the respective storeddescription.
 15. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying astatus indicator to indicate that the portion of the product isinactive.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein displaying the statusindicator to indicate that the portion of the product is inactivecomprises displaying a reason as to why the portion of the product isinactive.
 17. The method of claim 1 further comprising manufacturing theproduct based on the electronically-accessed product geometrydescription and the product attribute description.
 18. A method ofdescribing products in an electronically-accessible format, the methodcomprising: receiving a product geometry description to describe thegeometry of a portion of a product; receiving a product attributedescription to describe a non-geometric attribute of the portion of theproduct; receiving a product attribute display instance to describe howthe product attribute description is to be displayed; storing theproduct geometry description, the product attribute description, and theproduct attribute display instance in an electronically-accessibleformat; and basing a display of the product attribute descriptionadjacent a product geometry display on the product attribute displayinstance.
 19. The method of claim 18 further comprising changing theproduct geometry display while maintaining the display of the productattribute description.
 20. The method of claim 18 further comprising:receiving a second product attribute description to describe a secondnon-geometric attribute of the portion of the product; and storing thesecond product attribute description in the electronically-accessibleformat.
 21. The method of claim 20 further comprising displaying thesecond product attribute description adjacent the product geometrydisplay.
 22. The method of claim 21 further comprising removing one ofthe product attribute description and the second product attributedescription from adjacent the product geometry display.
 23. The methodof claim 18 further comprising displaying a lead line between theproduct attribute description and the portion of the product.
 24. Themethod of claim 18 further comprising displaying a status of the portionof the product.
 25. A method of describing products in anelectronically-accessible format, the method comprising: receiving aproduct geometry description to describe the geometry of a portion of aproduct; receiving a definition of a non-geometric attribute of theportion of the product from a user; receiving a product attributedescription to describe the non-geometric attribute; and storing theproduct geometry description and the product attribute description in anelectronically-accessible format.
 26. The method of claim 25 furthercomprising receiving a second product attribute description to describethe non-geometric attribute of the portion of the product.
 27. Themethod of claim 25 wherein receiving the definition of the non-geometricattribute comprises receiving a data class of the product attributedescription of the non-geometric attribute.
 28. The method of claim 25wherein receiving the definition of the non-geometric attributecomprises receiving a design rule to determine the product attributedescription of the non-geometric attribute.
 29. A method of describingproducts in an electronically-accessible format, the method comprising:receiving a product geometry description to describe the geometry of aportion of a product; receiving a product attribute description todescribe a predefined non-geometric attribute of the portion of theproduct; and storing the product geometry description and the productattribute description in an electronically-accessible format.
 30. Themethod of claim 29 wherein receiving the product attribute descriptionto describe the predefined non-geometric attribute comprises receivingthe product attribute description in a predetermined data class.
 31. Themethod of claim 30 wherein receiving the product attribute descriptionin the predetermined data class comprises receiving a string productattribute description.
 32. A computer readable medium includinginstructions for causing a processor to: receive a product geometrydescription to describe the geometry of a portion of a product; receivea product attribute description to describe a non-geometric attribute ofthe portion of the product, the product attribute description beingdetermined based on a design rule; and store the product geometrydescription and the product attribute description in anelectronically-accessible format.
 33. The computer readable medium ofclaim 32 wherein the instructions cause the processor to determine theproduct attribute description using the design rule.
 34. The computerreadable medium of claim 32 wherein the product attribute description isdetermined based upon one of the product geometry description andanother product attribute description.
 35. The computer readable mediumof claim 32 wherein the instructions cause the processor toelectronically access the product geometry description and the productattribute description.
 36. The computer readable medium of claim 25wherein the instructions cause the processor to manufacture the productbased on the electronically accessed product geometry description andproduct attribute description.
 37. A computer readable medium includinginstructions for causing a processor to: receive a product geometrydescription to describe the geometry of a portion of a product; receivea product attribute description to describe a non-geometric attribute ofthe portion of the product; receive a product attribute display instanceto describe how the product attribute description is to be displayed;store the product geometry description, the product attributedescription, and the product attribute display instance in anelectronically-accessible format; and base a display of the productattribute description in a product attribute display adjacent a productgeometry display on the product attribute display instance.
 38. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 37 wherein the instructions cause theprocessor to receive a definition of a non-geometric attribute of theportion of the product from a user.
 39. The computer readable medium ofclaim 37 wherein the instructions cause the processor to change theproduct geometry display while maintaining the display of the productattribute description.
 40. The computer readable medium of claim 37wherein the instructions cause the processor to display a status of theportion of the product.
 41. The computer readable medium of claim 40wherein the instructions cause the processor to display an indicator toindicate that the portion of the product is complete.
 42. The computerreadable medium of claim 40 wherein the instructions cause the processorto display an indicator to indicate that the portion of the product isinactive.
 43. A computer readable medium including instructions forcausing a processor to: receive a product geometry description todescribe the geometry of a portion of a product; receive a definition ofa non-geometric attribute of the portion of the product from a user;receive a product attribute description to describe the non-geometricattribute; and store the product geometry description and the productattribute description in an electronically-accessible format.
 44. Acomputer readable medium including instructions for causing a processorto: receive a product geometry description to describe the geometry of aportion of a product; receive a product attribute description todescribe a predefined non-geometric attribute of the portion of theproduct; and store the product geometry description and the productattribute description in an electronically-accessible format.